Councils’ shared services plan to make savings

Plans to share more services with East Sussex County Council to boost buying power and make savings have been unveiled in a new Cabinet report.

Surrey County Council has revealed it is finalising a proposal to join forces with the East Sussex authority to merge payroll and accounts functions.

They are also set to do IT deals together and share Surrey’s data centre.

The move aims to drive down costs by cutting overheads and capitalising on their combined buying power.

It comes after the two major councils linked up to make savings with suppliers they both use through collective purchasing.

Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Change and Efficiency Denise Le Gal said: “The public sector should be seen as a single team pulling together to save money wherever possible and this plan makes good business sense.

“Sharing services, combining resources and working in partnership will ensure local taxpayers’ money goes further and residents get the very best services.”

Keith Glazier, Deputy Leader of East Sussex County Council, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be working with Surrey County Council again on a joint initiative that will deliver savings for our council tax payers and provide high quality services.”

The proposals have been agreed by Surrey’s Cabinet and will be considered at a meeting of the Full Council in February. They have also been agreed by East Sussex’s Cabinet. It is hoped the new arrangements will begin in April.